3 - Coastal Systems and landscapes Questions

Question 1

Why are coasts classed as open systems?

Answer 1

• They allow the transfer of both energy and matter.

- Closed systems transfer just energy with outside space.

Question 2

Define what is meant by dynamic equilibrium

Answer 2

• When balance is maintained by adjustments to inputs and outputs; the system is constantly changing.

Question 3

What are the main inputs of energy in a coastal system?

Answer 3

• Energy from waves, tides, wind and sea currents.

- Geology, Sea-level change

Question 4

Explain wave refraction

Answer 4

• Waves break onto an irregularly shaped coastline.
• The waves drag shallow water approaching a shoreline, making the wave become steep and short.
• This makes them part of the wave in the deeper water move faster.
• The wave then bends the low-energy wave spills into the bay and most of the energy is concentrated on the headland.

Question 5

What factors affect coastal landscapes and their characteristic landforms?

Answer 5

• Geology, hard or soft rock
• Climate, affects the weathering processes
• Human Activity

Question 6

Describe the characteristics of a landscape of coastal erosion

Answer 6

• Features of cliffs, wave-cut platforms, caves and arches.

- There will be rugged cliff faces and no long, extended beaches.

Question 7

List the processes involved in the formation of caves, arches and stacks.

Answer 7

• Weathering processes [mechanical, biological and chemcial] weaken the rock in situ.
• Erosion processes attack the cliff face and remove and use weathered material. Hydraulic action, wave quarrying, abrasion, attrition and solution.

Question 8

What is a sediment cell?

Answer 8

A stretch of coastline in which sediments, sand and shingle circulate with no significant gains and losses from adjacent cells.

Question 9

How does vegetation influence the formation of sand dunes?

Answer 9

• Vegetation forms a barrier, which reduces the impact of wind at the surface and traps sand.
• Marram grass is specially adapted to survive in a dune environment and can grow tall and dense, trapping more sand.

Question 10

What is a dune slack and a blowout?

Answer 10

• Dune slack is a water-logged area between two sand ridges

- A blowout is often caused by human activity, it’s the rapid erosion of sand dunes where vegetation has been removed.

Question 11

What is a eustatic and isostatic sea-level change?

Answer 11

• Eustatic is a global sea-level change caused by an absolute change eg the volume of water in the ocean actually rises.
• Isostatic sea-level change is localised and caused by the loading or unloading of ice.

Question 12

List the human and physical impacts of sea-level change

Answer 12

- Physical features 
Rising sea level:
- Shingle beaches 
- Estuaries
- Shore platforms 
Falling sea level:
- Raised beaches
- Relict cliffs
- Retreating shorelines
Human Impacts:
- Coastal flooding
- Investment in coastal protection and proactive land-use planning.